South newsmaker you should know: Her struggles led to compassionate organization
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Just after Kay Stepp of Bethel Park was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, she developed a powerful compassion for people going through hard times. During her "journey to health," she said, she found a way to help those in need.
After learning of her affliction in 2003, she went through nine months of radiation and chemotherapy. At the end of that time, her doctors told her they could find no more signs of the disease, but her compassion for people had never waned.
AGE: 61
OCCUPATION: Executive director of Compassionate Connection, a nonprofit service organization headquartered in Bethel Park.
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Ill. Also studied at Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Okla.
FAMILY: Husband, Dr. Jack Stepp, pastor of the South Hills Assembly of God in Bethel Park. Three sons: Jason, 33, in medical residency at the Hershey Medical Center; Shawn, 31, a physician's assistant living in Maine; and Jared, 28, pastor in the children's and young adult ministries at the South Hills Assembly of God in Bethel Park.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU? "Living a life of integrity and also my faith in Jesus Christ."
PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW: "I was raised on a dairy farm in Iowa."
FIRST JOB: Working in the library at Olivet Nazarene University.
HOBBIES: Reading.
READING MATERIAL ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND: Bible and "A Divine Confrontation" by Graham Cooke.
WHAT'S PLAYING ON YOUR TV: "Funniest Home Videos."
GUILTY PLEASURE: "I can't think of any. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs."
FAVORITE SPOT IN THE WORLD: "Wherever I am because I'm determined to enjoy life to the fullest."
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: "When I walked up to a lady I thought was pregnant at Toys 'R Us and asked her when her baby was due and was told her baby was already three months old."
PROUDEST MOMENT, SO FAR: "When each of my sons got their degrees."
WHAT'S ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST? "A Crock-Pot that has three different units."
About a year after she had first been diagnosed, she had dinner with the Rev. Charles Hackett, then a 71-year old minister in charge of home ministries with the Assembly of God based in the home office in Springfield, Mo.
First Published December 9, 2010 12:00 am
